The Low Carbon Economy Ltd

Supergrid proposal 'of European importance'

A proposal to create a supergrid in the North Sea to harness the renewable energy that can be generated both above and below the waves has been dubbed a 'project of European interest'.

The European Parliament's industry committee, which was debating the Renewable Energy Directive, committed to the so-called supergrid, which will now be eligible for further funding.

According to the Guardian, Greenpeace submitted its own proposal earlier this month for a grid that could allow for the transmission of energy generated by 10,000 turbines to up to 70 million homes in seven nations with a coastline on the North Sea.

The directive, which will go before the full European Parliament for a debate next month, will also require EU members to develop transmission and distribution grid infrastructure, intelligence networks and storage facilities, reports the New Energy Focus.

A supergrid would run from Scotland down the east coast of England and as such would be a boon to the economy, claimed Scottish MEP Alyn Smith.

He said: "Scotland stands to benefit massively from the increased capacity for renewables this grid will enable."